Writers and their canine doppelgangers

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By Kathryn Lilley

So I was walking my dog on the boardwalk in Hermosa Beach the other day, totally MMOB, when I was hailed by a couple of guys clutching beers in paper bags.


“Do you think people look like their dogs?” The slightly less enebriated-looking of the two men wanted to know.

I considered the question. My dog  MacGregor is a serious-looking guy, long and lean, like a black wolf. I am none of those things, except I was wearing a black jogging suit. But with my blonde hair and general demeanor, I would say I’m more of a Golden Retriever.

“Sometimes people look like their dogs, but hopefully not in my case,” I replied carefully.

My answer seemed to satisfy my inquisitors. But it got me thinking about writers and their canine doppelgangers. So of course, I set off on a search for some matches. Here are a few I came up with.

Tom Wolfe – Chihuahua-mix in a top hat
Stephen King – Dog with a Human Face
This dog, by the way, would make an excellent character in King’s next book.
 
James Ellroy – Elegant pals


John Gilstrap, TKZ Emeritus – One Tough Dog

Phillip K. Dick – Beard Buddies
Agatha Christie – Curly tops



So, do you have a canine doppelganger? If I have to look like a critter, I’d prefer to look like my cat, Smokie. He’s my muse, is featured as a character in my books, and he’s way cooler than MacGregor.

18 thoughts on “Writers and their canine doppelgangers”

  1. What a fun post, Kathryn. I love the dog posts here at TKZ!

    Wow, Stephen King’s canine doppelganger is spot on. Sort of funny and eerie at the same time.

    I don’t know that I have a canine doppelganger, but I do have a Boxer-Rhodesian Ridgeback who could pass for Joe Moore’s canine doppelganger. And an adorable Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix with a sweet smile like Clare Langley-Hawthorne’s (except my dog has one blue eye and one brown eye).

    I also would prefer to look like your cat! That look would come with special powers, right?

    • Good point, and I should add that my references to Joe and Clare were intended to be high compliments. 🙂 The canines at our house are prized specimens, both in appearance and demeanor! Big Jake is fiercely loyal, strong and protective while Daisy Mae is irresistibly charming and smart.

      And, while my cat isn’t as drop-dead gorgeous as yours, he’s got a killer personality. He’s the cat who wins over the cat-haters. 🙂

  4. I look like my bulldog or he looks like me. He likes to sit beside me on the couch while I’m typing away and stares at me with his sad face asking for attention.

  7. Awww…great post! *Smile* *Smile* I adore my puppies…can’t have cats..allergies. But I am sure I look nothing like a Boxer or a Chiweenie! However, I have been known to imitate behavioral characteristics! Thanks for the fun!

  9. Kathryn–
    I don’t know whether my wife and I look like our dog, but we’re so dog-obsessed that since rescuing her, we’ve never been able to kennel Chelsea. As we explain to disbelieving friends, our border collie has a name, whereas we’re just “staff.” Speaking of canine/feline muses, Chelsea inspired me to write a fable for adults (Amazon) called Just Bill, about dogs and owners living on a golf course in Naples, Florida. There’s no crime in the story, just a lie told by a frightened little girl. That lie leads to a great deal of trouble for Bill.

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